Great Western Mountain

Great Western at 2212 m altitude is the 6th highest in the country. Situated in the Nuwraeliya district. This is a colossal mountain in the central highlands situated in a very picturesque setting. If you travel by train you will see this between Thalawakele and Nanuoya, while passing Great Western railway station as seen in the above picture. The mountain spans about 1Km and it can be climbed from both ends. This is regarded as one of the more difficult climb in the hill country as there are a few sharp slopes to surmount to reach at the top.

Train seen from the mountain

Route to Great Western Mountain from Hatton :

Activities; See Wildlife, Photography & HIKING!

Tips & Notes;

• THIS IS A STRENUOUS HIKE, with no clear foot path, try not to take small children.
• Some sharp knives, ropes and hiking sticks will be useful
• Wear attire as to cover your hands and legs to avoid torn scratches
• No tickets needed
• It’s better if you can carry a stock of water (1L per person) and food like biscuits and etc.
• Start the climb as early as you can to minimize the risk of  Leopards
• Do not carry Plastic items (Minimize), Make sure you bring back everything you took.

This is regrded as one of the best Hikes in Sri Lanka.

Bamabarakanda Falls

Bambarakanda Falls (also known as Bambarakele Falls) is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. With a height of 263 m (863 ft), it ranks as the 299th highest waterfall in the world. Situated in Kalupahana in the Badulla District. The waterfall was formed by Kuda Oya, which is a branch of the Walawe River. The Bambarakanda Falls can be found in a forest of pine trees.

 

Route to Bambarakanda Falls:

Best months to visit Bambarakanda are from March through May. During this period the chance of rain is very low but water is plentiful in streams and waterfalls. From June to September it will be very dry and windy. From November through February chances of rain is very high.

You can deffinitly enjoy a natural cool Bath in the natural pool complex known as “Seven Basins” or the natural pools at top and bottom of Bambarakanda falls. Visit Bambarakanda and have a heavenly time.



Maraluwawa Raja Maha Viharaya

Maraluwawa Raja Maha Viharaya is a very ancient and an old temple which is situated in Kurunegala district. The temple is situated on a top of a rock and the view is breathtaking. Although the road is built up to the top, walking all the way gives you great pleasure and you can view the beauty of the area. On a clear day you will see the blotted image of "Nuckels" mountain range at the end of paddy fields. From the other side you can see the beautiful Kurunegala city, famous"Athugala" rock and the "Adagala" rock. Not only that but also the view of "Kurunegala Lake" will wash away all you tiredness in a few seconds. The view is awesome.

When we consider about the temple, apart from its age it is important because it is the temple which the last arahath thero of Sri Lanka (Arahath Maliyadewa) and many other arahath theros lived and this the place where Arahath Pushpadewa attained nibbana. There is a nice story behind this and that story is painted on the walls of the shrine room and they are still clear. Also there are many caves which was used by the monks to meditate. Considering all of this things "Maraluwawa Raja Maha Viharaya" is a place where you should really visit.

This temple was considered to build by King Dutugamunu in 2BC. After that King Valagamba, King Parakum the vi th, King Vathhimi Keerithi sri Rajasinhe looked after this temple and developed in their reigns.

The road to this temple is very clear. You have to come to Kurunegala then come along the Dambulla road. When you come 2kms on that road turn to Hiripitiya road which most of the people known as "Dolukanda road". 1.5km drive will take you to the Maraluwawa junction and on the left hand side of the road you can see the Makara Thorona, the entrance to the temple. In the right hand side you can find the road map. 

 

Route to Maraluwawa Raja Maha Viharaya from Kurunegala Bus stand : 

 

There are many places to  visit in Kurunegala. Therefore if someone wish to travel to Kurunegala add this venue to your list and visit to experience the beauty of the nature around the visinity of Maralwawa Raja Maha Viharaya.

Avukana and Sasseruwa (Ras Wehera) Buddha Statues

The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha at the Avukana Ancient Rock Temple, near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. Constructed during the reign of King Dhatusena during the 5th century. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet (12 m), has been carved out of a large granite rock face but is not completely separated. A narrow strip of rock has been left at the back of the statue, connecting it to the rock face and supporting it. However, the pedestal on which the Buddha stands, which is carved in the form of a lotus flower, has been carved separately and positioned under the statue. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. The statue had been located within a large image house or shrine, of which parts of the walls still remain. It had been made of brick and stone, and was 74 feet (23 m) long and 63 feet (19 m) wide.

Route to Avukana Ancient Rock Temple :

There is another standing statue of the Buddha, quite similar to the Avukana statue, at Sasseruwa located close to Avukana. According to legend, the two statues are the result of a competition between a stone sculpting guru (master) and gola (pupil). The story goes that the master constructed the Avukana statue, while the pupil made the statue at Sasseruwa. The first to complete his statue had to notify it to the other by ringing a bell. The master managed to complete his statue first, and won the competition. This is said to be the reason that the Sasseruwa statue is in an unfinished state which has height about 13 meter(39 feets and 3 inches).

The statue depicts the Abhaya Mudra ( freedom from fear). Like the Awkana the robe of the Buddha is clinging to the body but the final finishes doesn't seems to have been done.

The pedestal on which the Buddha is carved is not decorated and it is only a square block of stone. One ear is also unfinished. This statue also lacks the "Siraspatha" at the top of the head which is seen in the Awkana statue. But it is said that there has been a wooden "siraspatha" in early days.

Route to Ras Wehera from Avukana :

The Bo Tree in this temple is a sapling of the very first 32 saplings (dethis Omaha bo Ankara) of the Sri Maha Bodhi in the Anuradhapura and is thought to be planted by the king Devampiyathissa (250 - 210 BC). It is said that on the day the tree was planted the area was lit by colourful rays of light (ras). Thus the name 'Ras Vehera' was attached to this site. The tree is protected by a 10 feet tall 4 layers of tightly packed stones. This is too is a unique feature of the unique feature comparable to bodigara seen in other temples. 

Next time visit not only Avukana Rock Temple but also the Ras Wehera...

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park (Willu-pattu; Land of Lakes) is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" (Natural lakes) - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. The park is located 30 km west Anuradhapura and located 26 km north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km north of Colombo). The park is 131, 693 hectares and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Nearly sixty lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world renowned for its Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population. The Leopard population in Wilpattu is still not yet known.





The Mahavansa records that in 543 BC Prince Vijaya landed at Kudrimalai Point (Horse Point), married Kuweni and founded the Sinhalese race. In 1905 the area was designated a sanctuary and in 1938 it was upgraded to the National Park status.



Route to Wilpattu National Park :

Park bungalows:

• Manawila
• Pannikawila
• Kokmote
• Thalawila

 

Go to Wilpattu to enjoy the best of the best wild life...



Richmond Castle

Have you heard about a Sri Lankan, who donated a sum of Rs. 2,500 to England?

Have you heard about a Sri Lankan, who donated an Ambulance to England?

All this happened during the period of 1888-1949

Do you know "Padikara Mudali Nanayakkara Rajawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena"?

Have you heard about Richmond Castle?

This magnificent hybrid of Indian and British architecture was copied from the plans of an Indian Maharaja’s palace designed by a London architect. The mansion stands majestically at top of a hill, on a 42 acre estate beside the Kalutara-Palatota Road. Richmond Castle is a two-storied building with 15 rooms. All the rooms are naturally air-conditioned. Richmond Castle has 99 door frames, 38 windows and one roof covering the entire mansion. The entire building is characterized by intricate carvings. Italian and Scottish glass windows and mirrors, and shiploads of timber from Burma, were imported to build this magnificent edifice. The mansion is complete with a stable, workers’ quarters, guard rooms, dancing floor and all requirements for a luxury life.

Richmond Castle has a fascinating history. Built in 1896, it is considered to be one of the most spectacular architectural works of the period. It was built for a regional governor turned philanthropist with an impossibly long name - Padikara-Mudaliyar (that’s a title) Rajawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena (1888-1949).

Route to Richmond Castle :

Following are some of the other pictures of the fascinating architecture of Richmond Castle;

Main Entrance

Garden

 Entrance to Richmond Castle

Front

Stairway

Magnificent Wood Crafting of the Stairway

Windows

Meda Midula

Meeting Hall

Bathroom Tiles

Pay a visit to Richmond Castle and find out more about this brilliant Mudaliyar

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km (8.1 mi) northwest of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawalla is notable for having the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 88 elephants, including 37 males and 51 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to many of the orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Route to Pinnawala :

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was first established by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975 for feeding and providing care and sanctuary to orphaned baby elephants that were found in the wild. The orphanage was first located at the Wilpattu National Park, then shifted to the tourist complex at Bentota and then to the Dehiwala Zoo. From the Zoo it was shifted to Pinnawala village on a 25-acre (10 ha) coconut plantation adjacent to the Maha Oya River.

Elephants bathing in Maha Oya river